Avalon, av'a-lon, or Avilion, a-vil'ion, in Celtic romance, an island in the western seas. It was regarded as an earthly paradise to which the souls of great heroes, like King Arthur, were borne at death. A castle built of loadstone stood on this Isle of Souls and was the abode of Oberon and Morgan le Fay. The word Avalon means literally "Place of Apples." The apple was the only important fruit known to the northern nations; hence the Welsh gave this name to their soul-kingdom, as indicative of a high degree of enjoyment. The Land of the Blessed and the Vale of Avalon were also terms applied to this mythical island. In the Idylls of the King Tennyson tells us that it had been prophesied that Arthur should never die, He passes to the Isle A vilion, He passes and is healed and cannot die. In the last Idyll, Arthur, wounded, says to Sir Bedivere: I am going a long way With these thou seest--if indeed I go-- For all my mind is clouded with a doubt-- To the island-valley of Avilion; Where falls not hail, or rain, or any snow, Nor ever wind blows loudly; but it lies Deep-meadow'd, happy, fair with orchard lawns And bowery hollows crown'd with summer sea, Where I will heal me of my grievous wound.